Rotary and axial drive mechanism

ABSTRACT

An input member consists of a rotatable cam slot sleeve formed with a cam slot. An output member consists of a cam follower sleeve, which is coaxial with said cam slot sleeve and rotatable and axially movable relative thereto and carries a cam follower in engagement with said cam slot sleeve in said cam slot. Angular stop means limit the angular movement of said cam follower sleeve from an initial position to a limiting angular position. Axial stop means limit the axial movement of said cam follower sleeve relative to said cam slot sleeve. Said cam slot and cam follower are adapted to impart to said cam follower sleeve an angular movement in unison with an angular movement of said cam slot sleeve between said initial position and said limiting angular position, and to impart to said cam follower sleeve an axial movement relative to said cam slot sleeve in response to an angular movement of said cam slot sleeve beyond said limiting angular position. Input drive means comprise a fluid-operable actuator and are operable to impart to said input member an oscillating angular movement from said initial position to and beyond said limiting angular position and back to said initial position. A drum coaxially surrounds and is non-rotatably connected to said input member. Control means are provided to control said input drive means in response to the angular movement of said drum. Said control means comprise adjustable cam means carried by said drum for rotation therewith and valve means which communicate with said actuator and are arranged to vary the speed of said actuator under control by said cam means.

United States Patent [191 [111 3,798,979 Kienhofer Mar. 26, 1974 ROTARY AND AXIAL DRIVE MECHANISM sleeve formed with a cam slot. An output member [75] Inventor: Klaus Kienhofer, Niefern near Pforzheim, Germany [73] Assignee: Gebr. Felss, Pforzheim, Germany [22] Filed: Aug. 11, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 279,858

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Sept. 18, 1971 Germany 2146720 [52] U.S. Cl. 74/22 R, 242/1.1 R, 214/1 BB, 74/56, 92/136 [51] Int. Cl. F16h 21/00 [58] Field of Search 74/56, 57, 29, 99, 110, 74/89.12, 89.15, 22; 91/336, 366; 242/1.l R; 92/136 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,025,008 3/1962 Nill etal. 242/l.l R 1,310,575 7/1919 Kollock et al.. 74/56 3,731,546 5/1973 MacDonald 74/57 2,408,957 10/1946 Schafer et al... 91/336 2,982,258 5/1961 Farkas 91/366 3,139,922 7/l964 Peczkowski.. 91/366 3,460,770 8/1969 Eminger... 242/1.1 R 3,678,766 7/1972 Geber 74/22 Primary ExaminerBenjamin W. Wyche Assistant ExaminerWesley S. Ratliff, Jr.

[57] ABSTRACT An input member consists of a rotatable cam slot consists of a cam follower sleeve, which is coaxial with said cam slot sleeve and rotatable and axially movable relative thereto and carries a cam follower in engagement with said cam slot sleeve in said cam slot. Angular stop means limit the angular movement of said cam follower sleeve from an initial position to a limiting angular position. Axial stop means limit the axial movement of said cam follower sleeve relative to said ,cam slot sleeve. Said cam slot and cam follower are adapted to impart to said cam follower sleeve an angular movement in unison with an angular movement of said cam slot sleeve between said initial position and said limiting angular position, and to impart to said cam follower sleeve an axial movement relative to said cam slot sleeve in response to an angular movement of said cam slot sleeve beyond said limiting angular position. Input drive means comprise a fluid-operable actuator and are operable to impart to said input member an oscillating angular movement from said initial position to and beyond said limiting angular position and back to said initial position. A drum coaxially surrounds and is non-rotatably connected to said input member. Control means are provided to control said input drive means in response to the angular movement of said drum. Said control means comprise adjustable cam means carried by said drum for rotation therewith and valve means which communicate with said actuator and are arranged to vary the speed of said actuator under control by said cam means.

27 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures w w n/w W10 ROTARY AND AXIAL DRIVE MECHANISM This invention relates to a rotary and axial drive mechanism, e.g., for driving a feeder.

An optimum utilization of modern manufacturing plants and a prevention of accidents to a high degree require the use of reliable feeders in all manufacturing operations. These feeders should provide for a continuous adjustment of all movements, a short setting-up time and a handling of different workpieces. These objects are accomplished by the use of the mechanism ac cording to the invention. The mechanism according to the invention serves to feed parts made from varous materials to presses, drilling, boring, milling and riveting machines and to joining and assembling machines of all kinds. The mechanism may also be used to remove and transfer workpieces from such machines.

The rotary and axial drive mechanism according to the invention serves preferably to drive a feeder and comprises a driven assembly comprising a rotatable cam slot sleeve and a cam follower sleeve which is rotatable and axially movable so that controlled rotational and axial movements can be performed in alternation and limited by preferably adjustable stops. An adjustable work holder may be provided to accommodate the workpiece to be transferred. The cam slot sleeve and the cam follower sleeve are guided on a stationary column. The cam follower sleeve is rotatably and axially movably mounted on the column to follow the input cam slot sleeve. The cam slot sleeve and the cam follower sleeve are coupled by a finger, which ex-' tends into the cam slot and preferably carries a removable cam follower roller.

Further details of the invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the drawing, in which FIGS. 1 and 2 are a side elevation and top plan view showing a complete rotary and axial drive mechanism, which in FIG. 2 is shown with parts cut away.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are views showing partly in transverse section the mechanism of FIG. 1 in its top and bottom dead center position, between which the cam slot sleeve has performed one angular stroke.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a cylinder with a built-in damping valve.

As is apparent from the drawing, the rotary and axial drive means according to the invention comprises a rotatable cam slot sleeve 1 and a rotatable and axially movable cam follower sleeve 2. The sleeves 1 and 2 are guided on a stationary column 3. The cam follower sleeve 2 is rotatably and axially movably mounted on the column 3 with a compression spring 4 interposed. The input cam slot sleeve 1 is held on the lower portion of the column 3 by bearing flanges 5 to be rotatable and held against an axial movement. Rotation is imparted to the cam slot sleeve 1 by a rack 6 in mesh with the gear teeth 7 of the sleeve 1. The rack is driven by pistons, which are reciprocated in the two cylinder halves 8, 9 under valve control. The cam slot sleeve 1 and the cam follower sleeve 2 are coupled by a finger 10, which carries a cam follower roller 11, which is removable so that the cam follower sleeve can be removed through the slot 12. In the present embodiment, the cam slot 13 is symmetrical. The cam'follower roller 11 is subjected to a spring force tending to-hold the roller 11 in its uppermost position shown in FIG. 3 so that the cam follower sleeve 2 follows the oscillating angular movement of the cam slot sleeve 1 until the stop roller 14 en- COVCI' gages either of the abutments l5 and 16, which limit the rotation in both senses. Owing to the engagement of the stop roller 14 of the cam follower sleeve 2 the continued rotation of the cam slot sleeve 1 is transformed into a vertical movement in a direction A against the force of the spring 4 until the end position shown in FIG. 4 is reached. This position is determined by vertical stops l7 and 18. A reverse rotation results in a return stroke in the direction opposite to direction A under the action of the spring until the end position shown in FIG. 3 is'reached so that the cam follower sleeve 2 and the cam slot sleeve 1 are rotated back in unison.

The cam follower sleeve 2 carries a bracket 19, to which a work holder can be adjustably secured. In the present case, the work holder consists of a solenoid 20. Alternatively, the work holder may consist of a pneumatic or hydraulic collet or chuck. These work holders are not shown. The abutments l5 and 16 are adjustably mounted on the lower portion 45 of the column so that the position in which the angular movement of the cam follower sleeve 2 and the work holder is succeeded by the vertical movement can be adjusted as desired and the angular output movement of the mechanism can be limited. The vertical stops l7 and 18 for limiting the vertical movement are also adjustable, as is apparent from FIGS. 3 and 4. These adjustable stops constrain the cam follower sleeve to performa controlled reciprocating angular and vertical movement. The adjustable work holder consisting in the present case of the solenoid 20 serves to carry the workpiece to be transferred.

It is also apparent from the drawing that the cam slot sleeve 1 is surrounded by a drum 21, which rotates with the sleeve 1 and is formed with grooves 22 and a collar 23 for confining control cams 24 and 25. In the present embodiment, the cam 24 serves to damp the movement of the piston during the change from the angular to the vertical movementand for this reason is connected by two cam follower arms 26 and 27 to respective throttlecheck valves 28'and 29, which are connected to the ends'of respective cylinder portions 8, 9 and control the supply of pressure fluid. In accordance with FIG. 5, such throttle-check valve 28 M29 is manually adjustable to set the maximum speed-and is controlled by means of the adjustable cam 24 and the cam follower arms 26 and 27 to determine accelerating and retarding phases. The additional control cams 25 serve to operate switches 30 for additional switching and control functions to be performedby the feeder itself or the machine to be fed. 1

In accordance'with FIG. 5, each of the throttle-check valves 28 and 29 has following mode of operation:

The pressure fluid enters through the bore- 31 and is discharged through the same when it has performed work. In this combined inlet-outlet 'valve for controlling the supply and discharge of pressure fluid, a shoulder 32 at the inlet is engaged by a valve disc 34, which is loaded'by a spring 33 and formed with a through bore 35 containing a throttling needle 36. Pressure fluid supplied in direction B causes the seal 37 at the rim of the disc 34 to be lifted so that the pressure fluid can enter around said seal. When the seal 37 is forced against the shoulder 32, pressure fluid can be discharged through the bore 35 in direction C. The valve chamber 38 communicates with the cylinder chamber 39'throug'h a conduit 40. The position of the throttling needle 36 relative to the bore 35 in the valve disc 34 is controlled by a collar 42, which is carried by the needle and urged by a spring 41 against the cap nut 43, which is manually adjustable to control the maximum speed of the piston. At its end opposite to the valve disc, the needle has a portion 44 which is engageable by the control cam 24 to operate the needle.

The cap nut 43 is thus manually adjustable to determine the maximum speed of the piston. The cam 24 or corresponding different cams may be used for an additional control of the speed of the piston in any position thereof.

What is claimed is:

l. A rotary and axial drive mechanism, which comprises an input member consisting of a rotatable cam slot sleeve'formed with a cam slot, an output member consisting of a cam follower sleeve, which is coaxial with said cam slot sleeve and rotatable and axially movable relative thereto and carries a cam follower in engagement with said cam slot sleeve in said cam slot, angular stop means limiting the angular movement of said cam follower sleeve from an initial position to a limiting angular position, and

axial stop means limiting the axial movement of said cam follower sleeve relative to said cam slot sleeve,

said cam slot and cam follower being adapted to impart to said cam follower sleeve an angular movement in unison with an angular movement of said cam slot sleeve between said initial position and 7 said limiting angular position, and to impart to said cam follower sleeve an axial movement relative to said cam slot sleeve in response to an angular movement of said cam slot sleeve beyond said limiting position.

2. A mechanism as set forth in claim 1, in which said sleeves have vertical axes.

3, A mechanism as set forth in claim 1, which comprises input drive means operable to impart to said cam slot sleeve an oscillating angular movement from said initial position to and beyond said limiting angular position and back to said initial position.

4. A mechanism as set forth in claim 3, in which said cam slot sleeve is axially fixed and said input drive means comprise a gear nonrotatably connected to and coaxial with said cam slot sleeve,

a rack in mesh with said gear, and

a fluid-operated actuator adapted to reciprocate said rack.

5. A mechanism as set forth in claim 3, in which said cam slot sleeve is coaxially surrounded by and nonrotatably connected'to a drum, which carries cam means for rotation therewith, and

said input drive means are arranged to be speedcontrolled by said cam means in response to the rotation of said drum.

6. A mechanism as set forth in claim 5, in which said cam means are adjustable, and

said input drive means comprise a fluid-operable actuator and valve means which communicate with said actuator and are arranged to vary the speed of said actuator under control by said cam means.

7. A mechanism as set forth in claim 6, in which said actuator comprises a cylinder and said valve means communicate with said cylinder. 8. A mechanism as set forth in claim 7, in which said valve means comprise two valves, which communicate with respective ends of said cylinder. 5 9. A mechanism as set forth in claim 6, in which said valve means comprise a throttle-check valve for supplying pressure fluid to and for throttling the discharge of pressure fluid from said actuator.

10. A mechanism as set forth in claim 6, in which said valve means are manually adjustable to determine the maximum speed of said actuator.

1 l. A mechanism as set forth in claim 1, in which said angular stop means comprise at least one angularly adjustable stop. 4

12. A mechanism as set forth in claim 1, in whichsaid axial stop means comprise at least one axially adjustable stop.

13. A mechanism as set forth in claim 1, which comprises a column on which the cam slot. sleeve is mounted to be rotatable and axially fixed relative to the column and on which the cam follower sleeve is mounted to be rotatable and axially movable relative to the column. a

14. A mechanism as set forth in claim 13, which comprises a compression spring interposed between said column and said cam follower sleeve and opposing the axial movement performed by said cam follower sleeve in response to an angular movement of said cam slot sleeve beyond said limiting angular position.

15. A mechanism as set forth in claim 13, in which.

said angular stop means comprise a stop carried by said cam follower sleeve and two angularly spaced apart and angularly adjustable stops carried by said columnand engageable by said stop carried by said cam follower sleeve. 16. A mechanism as set forth in claim 13, in which said axial stop means comprise I sleevescarried stop means and column carried stop means carried by said column and engageable by said sleeve-carried stop means A to limit the axial movement of said cam follower sleeve.

17. A mechanism as set forth in claim 1, in which said cam follower comprises a finger extending into said cam slot.

18. A mechanism as set forth in claim 17, in which said finger carries a removably mounted cam follower roller engaging said cam slot sleeve injsaid cam slot.

19. A mechanism as set forth in claim 1, in which said angular stop means comprise a stop carried by said cam follower sleeve.

20. A mechanism as set forth in claim 19, in which said stop carried by said cam follower sleeve carries a stop roller.

21. A mechanism as set forth in claim 1, which comprises an adjustable work holder carried by said output member.

22. A mechanism as set forth in claim 21, in which said work holder is adjustably connectedto an arm carried by said output member.

23. A rotary and axial drive mechanism, which comprises a rotatable input member,

a drum coaxially surrounding and nonrotatably connected to said input member,

an output member which is coaxial with and rotatable and axially movable relative to said input member,

means for imparting to said output member an angular movement in unison with an angular movement of said input member between an initial position and a limiting angular position, and to impart to said output member an axial movement of said input member beyond said limiting angular position,

input drive means comprisising a fluid-operable actuator and operable to impart to said input member an oscillating angular movement from said initial position to and beyound said limiting angular position and back to said initial position, and

control means for controlling said input drive means in response to the angular movement of said drum, said control means comprising adjustable cam means carried by said drum for rotation therewith and valve means which communicate with said actuator and are arranged to vary the speed of said actuator or under control by said cam means.

24. A mechanism as set forth in claim 23, in which the maximum speed of said actuator. 

1. A rotary and axial drive mechanism, which comprises an input member consisting of a rotatable cam slot sleeve formed with a cam slot, an output member consisting of a cam follower sleeve, which is coaxial with said cam slot sleeve and rotatable and axially movable relative thereto and carries a cam follower in engagement with said cam slot sleeve in said cam slot, angular stop means limiting the angular movement of said cam follower sleeve from an initial position to a limiting angular position, and axial stop means limiting the axial movement of said cam follower sleeve relative to said cam slot sleeve, said cam slot and cam follower being adapted to impart to said cam follower sleeve an angular movement in unison with an angular movement of said cam slot sleeve between said initial position and said limiting angular position, and to impart to said cam follower sleeve an axial movement relative to said cam slot sleeve in response to an angular movement of said cam slot sleeve beyond said limiting position.
 2. A mechanism as set forth in claim 1, in which said sleeves have vertical axes.
 3. A mechanism as set forth in claim 1, which comprises input drive means operable to impart to said cam slot sleeve an oscillating angular movement from said initial position to and beyond said limiting angular position and back to said initial position.
 4. A mechanism as set forth in claim 3, in which said cam slot sleeve is axially fixed and said input drive means comprise a gear nonrotatably connected to and coaxial with said cam slot sleeve, a rack in mesh with said gear, and a fluid-operated actuator adapted to reciprocate said rack.
 5. A mechanism as set forth in claim 3, in which said cam slot sleeve is coaxially surrounded by and nonrotatably connected to a drum, which carries cam means for rotation therewith, and said input drive means are arranged to be speed-controlled by said cam means in response to the rotation of said drum.
 6. A mechanism as set forth in claim 5, in which said cam means arE adjustable, and said input drive means comprise a fluid-operable actuator and valve means which communicate with said actuator and are arranged to vary the speed of said actuator under control by said cam means.
 7. A mechanism as set forth in claim 6, in which said actuator comprises a cylinder and said valve means communicate with said cylinder.
 8. A mechanism as set forth in claim 7, in which said valve means comprise two valves, which communicate with respective ends of said cylinder.
 9. A mechanism as set forth in claim 6, in which said valve means comprise a throttle-check valve for supplying pressure fluid to and for throttling the discharge of pressure fluid from said actuator.
 10. A mechanism as set forth in claim 6, in which said valve means are manually adjustable to determine the maximum speed of said actuator.
 11. A mechanism as set forth in claim 1, in which said angular stop means comprise at least one angularly adjustable stop.
 12. A mechanism as set forth in claim 1, in which said axial stop means comprise at least one axially adjustable stop.
 13. A mechanism as set forth in claim 1, which comprises a column on which the cam slot sleeve is mounted to be rotatable and axially fixed relative to the column and on which the cam follower sleeve is mounted to be rotatable and axially movable relative to the column.
 14. A mechanism as set forth in claim 13, which comprises a compression spring interposed between said column and said cam follower sleeve and opposing the axial movement performed by said cam follower sleeve in response to an angular movement of said cam slot sleeve beyond said limiting angular position.
 15. A mechanism as set forth in claim 13, in which said angular stop means comprise a stop carried by said cam follower sleeve and two angularly spaced apart and angularly adjustable stops carried by said column and engageable by said stop carried by said cam follower sleeve.
 16. A mechanism as set forth in claim 13, in which said axial stop means comprise sleeve-carried stop means and column carried stop means carried by said column and engageable by said sleeve-carried stop means to limit the axial movement of said cam follower sleeve.
 17. A mechanism as set forth in claim 1, in which said cam follower comprises a finger extending into said cam slot.
 18. A mechanism as set forth in claim 17, in which said finger carries a removably mounted cam follower roller engaging said cam slot sleeve in said cam slot.
 19. A mechanism as set forth in claim 1, in which said angular stop means comprise a stop carried by said cam follower sleeve.
 20. A mechanism as set forth in claim 19, in which said stop carried by said cam follower sleeve carries a stop roller.
 21. A mechanism as set forth in claim 1, which comprises an adjustable work holder carried by said output member.
 22. A mechanism as set forth in claim 21, in which said work holder is adjustably connected to an arm carried by said output member.
 23. A rotary and axial drive mechanism, which comprises a rotatable input member, a drum coaxially surrounding and nonrotatably connected to said input member, an output member which is coaxial with and rotatable and axially movable relative to said input member, means for imparting to said output member an angular movement in unison with an angular movement of said input member between an initial position and a limiting angular position, and to impart to said output member an axial movement of said input member beyond said limiting angular position, input drive means comprisising a fluid-operable actuator and operable to impart to said input member an oscillating angular movement from said initial position to and beyound said limiting angular position and back to said initial position, and control means for controlling said input drive means in response to the angular movement of said drum, said control means comprising adjustable cam means carried By said drum for rotation therewith and valve means which communicate with said actuator and are arranged to vary the speed of said actuator or under control by said cam means.
 24. A mechanism as set forth in claim 23, in which said actuator comprises a cylinder and said valve means communicate with said cylinder.
 25. A mechanism as set forth in claim 24, in which said valve means comprise two valves, which communicate with respective ends of said cylinder.
 26. A mechanism as set forth in claim 23, in which said valve means comprise a throttle-check valve for supplying pressure fluid to and for throttling the discharge of pressure fluid from said actuator.
 27. A mechanism as set forth in claim 23, in which said valve means are manually adjustable to determine the maximum speed of said actuator. 